KUCHING, May 24 -- Sarawak will further strengthen downstream activities in its oil palm sector to enhance sustainability and economic value, said Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.

He announced that the state would shift focus away from crude palm oil production and instead prioritise downstream development to increase the sector's overall value.

"Not only will this make the palm oil industry in Sarawak more sustainable but it also contributes to increasing the state's revenue," he said in a Sarawak Public Communication Unit (Ukas) report today when launching the Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra) kernel crushing plant in Lubok Antu, Sri Aman.

Abang Johari noted that the state's palm o...